Linderhof

Gardening, Cooking and Decorating on the Prairie of Kansas

Welcome to Linderhof, our 1920's home on the prairie, where there's usually something in the oven, flowers in the garden for tabletops and herbs in the garden for cooking. Where, when company comes, the teapot is always on and there are cookies and cakes to share in the larder.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

A Garden Wine Tasting

Today is Tablescape Thursday from Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. Always a fun Thursday event to see what everone has come up with for tablescapes this Thursday.

At Linderhof, it was Wednesday evening and my sorority came for a wine tasting and meeting -- in the garden.Although the garden is still a works in progress (the bricks), we were able (between rain storms) to blow most of the leaves and dirt off and set up tables. Folding chairs (to be brought by another member and not yet arrived) would fill in so that all 23 guests would have a place to sit.

With my regular outside dining tablecloths suplimented by a red French cloth and some fabric from Wal Mart set a festive patio.We figured if everyone "cosied up" that we could easily set 24 at the four tables.We were glad that in the 40's that someone decided that half the back garden needed to be paved but it proved to be perfect for three big tables and one smaller one.The patio bar with tablecloth and a piece of Wal Mart fabric held the wine glasses, a huge wine glass with corks, the wine and the champagne in a Dom Perignon wine chiller. Five white wines were being chilled in our patio wine cooler.Each table had a garden centerpiece. The two with the yellow Williams Sonoma cloths had topiaries -- one ivy and the other a great climbing plant that a friend had gifted me with.

The square table which pinch hits for another patio table if we need it too, otherwise, it is our "prep" table for grilling, was covered with a French red cloth and centered with my primroses.

The small (breakfast for two table) held the rabbit thyme topiary. It was a small centerpiece for the smallest table.

We had some great appetizers from the three hostesses and with the appetizers we tasted wines selected by husband Jim. With 23 women, who each had different tastes in wine, he chose 9 wines that offered something for everyone.

The wines he chose:

1. FIRST LOVE RED SE Australia Blended Red ‘06

2. COLUMBIA CREST California 2 VINES Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon ‘05

3. FETZER Northern California, Valley Oak Pinot Noir ‘07

4. COVEY RUN Columbia Valley Chardonnay ‘05

5. MONKEY BAY Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ‘07

6. LITTLE BLACK DRESS California Pinot Grigio ‘07

7. COLUMBIA Columbia Valley Gewurztraminer ‘06

8. FOREST GLEN Forest Fire White Merlot ‘07

9. ANDRE Peach champagne/sparkling wines, Non-vintage

There were no table settings per se -- everyone got their glass plate and chose their appetizers and then sat and with real wine glasses (mostly from wine events where we poured) to taste our selection from.

It was a great evening -- as everyone "tottled" off, husband Jim and I sat with another glass of wine as we watched the full moon. We talked about how much fun the wine tasting was and even though we were glad it was over, we would do another in a "minute" if asked!

Oh may I love your patio and it's a perfect place to host a party. Your tables were lovely with the different table clothes. What a fun day you had. I really enjoyed your post. Have a great day, Elizabeth